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Kōrero: Waikato places

Hatupatu’s Rock

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Hatupatu’s Rock

A family stop at Hatupatu’s Rock, beside the main road from Tokoroa to Taupō. Sometimes Māori leave offerings such as leaves or sweets at the rock, which features in one of the legendary adventures of a boy named Hatupatu. Hatupatu was taken prisoner by the bird woman, Kurangaituku, but managed to escape. As he fled, closely pursued by her, he recited magic words and the rock opened up, then closed around him.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Caren Wilton

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Nancy Swarbrick, Waikato places – Tokoroa, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/27363/hatupatus-rock (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Nancy Swarbrick, i tāngia i te 26 May 2010, updated 11 June 2015.